I never heard of Inga alley cropping until a week ago. Now I’m somewhat obsessed with it.
Freeze frame from a video that opened a whole new world
One of the benefits of sharing my videos and posts publicly is the interaction I get to have with other people.
In this video I mention how I intercropped my corn and pigeon peas in imitation of the natives:
In response, a YouTuber commented:
Here’s the video he mentioned on inga alley cropping:
Now I’m not ignorant of alley cropping as a useful agricultural method, particularly on slopes. I’ve done some study on Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) since moving here and realizing what a pain in the neck it is to garden on an incline and how important it is to maintain the soil and keep it from rapidly washing away downhill and into the river.
What I was ignorant about was how useful Inga species are. The only one I knew about – and which I have sadly not been able to find here – is the “ice cream bean” tree beloved of Geoff Lawton. It’s a nitrogen-fixing with edible pulp in the pods and a rapid growth that makes it excellent for establishing a food forest canopy and as a nurse tree to less vigorous species.
Chasing Down More on Inga Alley Cropping
I responded to Alex on Youtube:
“Alex – thank you for the link. I’ve used “chop-n-drop” in my previous food forest systems but hadn’t considered the possibilities for weed reduction via deliberately growing trees like that. Love the idea and will see if I can find a place to test it. The corn and pigeon peas mix is the way the natives grow them. I am learning what they do here first, then doing my own experiments on the side.”
In response he wrote:
“Well, if you love this idea I might as well point you in the right direction for further research. Mike Hands pioneered this system over 20 years ago as a way to stop the destructive pressure of slash and burn ag on tropical rain forests. He has an NGO dedicated to spreading the technique. http://www.ingafoundation.org/
The best manual put out on the technique IMO is Integrated Farming Manual available for free here http://www.yaaxche.org/files/Agromanual2014.pdf. The manual was put out by the Ya’axché Conservation Trust and the Maya Mountain Research Farm. The Maya Mountain Research Farm in Southern Belize is a great place to visit to see the technique in action and to learn about all their successes and mistakes they have made in the last 25 years.
That might help you succeed and save you a few years of making various mistakes, well worth the trip. http://www.mmrfbz.org/“
That’s not too far away from me; however, it’s really hard to access… definitely would be an adventure. I would love to visit at some point. For now, I’m hunting down more on Inga alley cropping.
More Video
Here’s a fascinating video on how inga alley cropping is being put into action to save rainforests in Honduras:
I could see systems like this being put in place in sandy Florida plots in order to improve the soil rapidly and build biomass. You could cut the trees to make biochar as well. You could do this with moringa, leucana, heck, even mulberry! You won’t get the nitrogen fixation but you would get the shade and the valuable dropped mulch on the ground.
I have identified a species of Inga in the local jungle which I believe to be Inga oerstediana. It’s in bloom right now… when it sets pods, you can guess what I’ll be doing with the seeds.
So many ideas… I feel like I’m going to leave this mortal coil long before I explore all the many trails of research I wish to pursue.
Anyone else ready to go out and start planting tight rows of trees in your gardens? Anyone?